The old-horse in the form of Ashish Nehra is raring to go in the three-match Twenty20 series against Australia, as the senior campaigner revealed he is not worried about the critics while adding he is proud to represent India.
“I have never been bothered by criticism,” Nehra’s comments were published by PTI.
While featuring the tenth edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, Nehra was eventually ruled out of the professional T20 competition after pulling his hamstring in May, this year.
Nehra, who has struggled more of his fitness than form stated he is happy to be the part of the contingent and has aimed to deliver according to his ability.
“Who isn’t happy if he is playing for India? If I am in the team, definitely, I must be contributing something,” Ashish added.
In his straightforward response, Nehra believes taking a game after another would yield the desired results, as he admitted the fact by saying he has not set any target for the foreseeable future.
“At my age, you don’t set long term goals. I have been selected to play three games for India. I will take one game at a time,” Nehra remarked.
The 38 left-arm fast bowler Nehra reiterated the camp is in known of his past performances and what he has brought to the plate for Men in Blue while adding the selectors and current Indian skipper Virat Kohli are aware of his bowling.
“The Indian dressing room knows what I bring to the table. The skipper knows it, the selectors know it,” Nehra further added.
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Nehra was included in the 15-man squad on Sunday night (October 1), for the T20 fixtures, as the first match will be held Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) International Stadium in Ranchi on October 7.
“Oh yes, people didn’t know where I was but skipper Virat Kohli and chairman of selectors MSK Prasad were well aware what I was doing,” Nehra said.
The most sought-after pacer when he was in his prime Nehra has relished earning the international return of late, in a bid to don the national colours after marred by injuries during his international leg.
“I have had 12 surgeries. Ask any sportsman, what it takes to recover from one and here I have been under the knife 12 times,” Nehra maintained.
While having the great passion for the game, Nehra’s prime focus has been his fitness, as he still wakes up early in the morning to train himself.
Nehra, who doesn’t have a liking for the virtual world, stated he has always been in the news whether doing good or eventually fail to meet the expectations.
“If I do well, that’s news, if I don’t do well, that’s even bigger news,” Nehra concluded.
Previously Nehra featured in T20Is against England on February 01, 2017 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in which he further went wicket-less after conceding 24 runs in his three overs.